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From the Executive Director
On August 2, 1961, I arrived with my mother and two of my sisters at Miami International Airport. Even though I was only four years old, I can still recall stepping out of the plane onto the hot tarmac. As first-generation Cuban immigrants fleeing oppression, my parents always told us how blessed we were to have someplace to go. As they often said, "If not America, then where?"
Our move north to Philadelphia, and then growing up as the only "Cuban" in a suburban school, was an experience that taught me not only to be resilient, but ultimately gave me an appreciation of this country. Through our education, we were given every opportunity to succeed.
America has been rightly called a meritocracy where if one works hard, we can achieve our dreams. Perhaps that is why over the last 235 years, the U.S. has been blessed with wave after wave of new immigrant groups. It is that combination of diverse talents, coupled with opportunity, that makes ours such a successful country.
Here at ACLAMO, we are often reminded of that fact. Over the years the population of immigrants has changed, but the dreams of a better life remain the same. That is ultimately what makes our country great. As we contemplate our independence day, we can celebrate that dream that binds us together.
This issue, we are combining the July and August newsletters to reflect our summer schedule. You will read of the variety of great programs, from Summer Bridge field trips to our Health Expo.
On a somber note, we all know times are tough. We are facing the coming school year with uncertainty. Much of our educational funding has been cut. Would you help us relaunch our Family Literacy program? Your help is crucial. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to ACLAMO. Thank you!
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ACLAMO Participates in July 4th Parade
For the third year in a row, ACLAMO was an active participant in Norristown's Fourth of July Parade. The ACLAMO staff and families helped decorate two bright red pickup trucks with the stars and stripes theme.
The day was warm and the mood upbeat, with families lining the parade route cheering, waving flags, and celebrating 235 years of US independence.
"Civics is an important part of what we teach at ACLAMO, so participation in this parade was a natural outgrowth of our adult literacy program," said Juan Guerra, Executive Director of ACLAMO.
Many thanks go to the McGuire and Medrano families, who loaned their trucks for the event. We also would like to thank the families who helped plan and participate in the parade. We are grateful to Socorro "Rebecca" Sadeghipour, ACLAMO Board member and founder of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, for showcasing one of her traditional Mexican dresses.
Other participants in the Norristown parade included the Norristown Fire and Police Departments, the Uptown String Band, the Boys Scouts Troop 752, the Norristown Police Athletc League, the Norristown NAACP, and St. Patrick's Church.
For more photos go to facebook.com/aclamo.
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A Decade of Summer Educational Support
In this 10th summer of the ACLAMO Summer Bridge Program, the theme was STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The 60 students who took part in the 6-week program planted an urban garden and went on field trips to the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Julia Fowler Planetarium, and the Elmwood Park Zoo.
Summer Bridge is open to all children in the Norristown community, ages 5 through 14. This year the students were divided into two age groups, with 25 younger students in 1st and 2nd grades, and 35 older children entering 3rd through 8th grades. Volunteer students from Agnes Irwin, Episcopal Academy (please see this newsletter's story on Charlie Kunzig), and Wissahickon Senior High School acted as assistant teachers and mentors.
ACLAMO students not only got the opportunity to practice the skills they acquired throughout the school year, but also to participate in enrichment activities to help them reach grade-level performance. "This program not only helps support each child academically, but also helps expand their imaginations," said ACLAMO Lead Teacher, Linda Maldonado.
For more photos go to facebook.com/aclamo.
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A Visit to the Academy of Natural Sciences  By Linda Maldonado, ACLAMO Lead Teacher A few weeks ago in anticipation of a planned trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, several of the younger students in our Summer Bridge Program asked questions about dinosaurs. Among other facts, I explained to them that different dinosaurs had different diets: the T-Rex were carnivores, while some, like the Triceratops, were herbivores. After that, I asked the children to sign their names on a chart with diet categories, choosing those they believed matched their eating habits. I signed under carnivore, while my student teacher, Sarah, a vegetarian, signed under herbivore. Eight-year-old Gladys accurately declared that she was both, to which I responded: "OK, then you are an omnivore!"
I have learned that such interactions serve to reinforce educational concepts with the children. Another example was when I asked Jeifor how he could best describe the dinosaur bones seen at the museum. He replied, "They are humongous!" I asked for another word to describe something really big, and 6-year-old Mireanda said "gigantic," while yet another child said the word "giant." Thus the children's practical experiences helped teach other related concepts.
Click here to read the full story.
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Oscar, 8, said he was a little scared of the high steps leading to the telescope, but was happy he got to see the real sun!
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Space-tacular Trip
to the Planetarium
Stretched out on the floor of Eastern University's planetarium, ACLAMO Summer Bridge students watched a demonstration of the night sky change from sunset to sunrise, and saw the planets and their orbits. Eastern's Chair of Astronomy and Physics, Dr. David Bradstreet, narrated the show for the 35 students, and gave them a tour of the Julia Fowler Planetarium and facilities.
"Astronomy is probably the most popular of the sciences, and also the least-taught in schools," said Dr. Bradstreet, a professor, author and renowned astronomist. "I'm trying to change that."
The ALCAMO students arrived at Eastern's Radnor campus on one of the hottest days of the summer. Listening to the narrative by Dr. Bradstreet while watching the planetarium show, the students saw the constellations, the North Star, Saturn's rings, and a view of the sun from its volcanic surface. Following the hour-long trip to the cosmos, the students climbed a narrow staircase to the giant telescope, where they each got the unique opportunity to look directly at the sun.
"What a wonderful group of young people you have! They were exceptionally well behaved and enthusiastic," said Dr. Bradstreet. "They were a pleasure to be with."
Marla Benssy, ACLAMO Lead Teacher, was happy that the children had a chance to learn about astronomy at one of the top observatories on the East Coast. "We believe that experiences such as this will open the minds and imaginations of our students," she said. "Maybe we will have a future astronaut!"
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Chess Comes to ACLAMO
ACLAMO's rising first and second graders, ages 6 through 8, were introduced to the game of chess as
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Gladys Moreno wins Chess Championship.
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part of school enrichment and critical thinking at our Summer Bridge Program.
Seven-year old Gladys Moreno took a particular interest in chess and asked whether she could take home a chess set on weekends and weeknights. She taught her 10-year-old older sister, Yartzel, how to play. Her mother, Trinidad, said she was shocked to see her daughters waking up at 6 in the morning to play chess.
As part of our class tournament, Gladys won over all her classmates and received her trophy which reads: Gladys Moreno, 2011 Chess Champion, ACLAMO Family Centers Summer Bridge Program. Congratulations Gladys!!!
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Needy Families Receive Donations of Food and Household Goods at ACLAMO 
From diapers and baby cloths, to canned goods and household items, ACLAMO Norristown became a mini-distribution center to local families this summer. Thanks to a donation from the Community Action Development Committee (CADCOM), and volunteers who helped prepare and distribute the goods, more than 75 needy families received free food and items at ACLAMO Family Centers in July.
"It helps to know that people and organizations remember ACLAMO when it comes to donating goods," said office manager, Lourdes Hernandez. "At ACLAMO we make sure that donated gifts make it to families who truly need them. In this tight economy, every gift helps!"
We would like to thank CADCOM for their generous gift to the community. If you would like additional information on how you can participate in such a program, please call our office and ask for Lourdes.
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Health Expo Held at ACLAMO Pottstown
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Pictured from the left are Jenniffer Ramirez, caseworker at our ACLAMO Pottstown facility, along with Fox Chase staff, Mary Piccolo, and Lynn Kolmetzky.
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Twenty low-income women received free mammograms in July at the Fox Chase Cancer Center's Mobile Mammography Unit during ACLAMO's second-annual Health Expo at the Pottstown location.
"We were very pleased at the turnout" said ACLAMO Case Manager, Glendalys Delgado. "The clients were very grateful because most of them could not otherwise afford these screenings."
"ACLAMO is grateful for the generous support of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, Susquehanna Bank, and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania in making this day possible," said Juan Guerra, ACLAMO's Executive Director.
The event also marked a close collaboration with other health agencies, including the Maternity Care Coalition, Community Health and Dental Care, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Montgomery County Health Department, Montgomery County Community College, Bravo Health Services, as well as the Fox Chase Cancer Center.
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Profile: Student Volunteer Charlie Kinzig
When 17-year-old Charlie Kinzig decided he wanted to do something meaningful during his summer vacation, a chance link on the internet led him to ACLAMO's Summer Bridge program.
"I was looking for something to do," said Charlie, who is from St. David's. "I'm fairly fluent in Spanish and so I was looking for an opportunity to use my talents."
The ACLAMO Summer Bridge program is open to all children in the Norristown community ages 5 through 14. For six weeks beginning in late June through early August 60 students were tutored and mentored through fun, educational activities. This year's theme is STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Among Charlie's lesson plans were cells, plants, animals, astronomy, weather, and electricity. Practical aspects of each category were explored. For instance Charlie introduced the concept of electricity using the static caused by a PVC pipe and a silk scarf. For astronomy, Charlie reviewed the constellations using models. This culminated to a visit to a local observatory.
On the subject of plant and cell growth, Charlie assisted the class in preparing, planting, and cultivating an urban garden (thanks to the generosity of Comcast Cares program). Asked what he learned through this experience Charlie answered, "I realized how much planning goes into teaching!"
"Charlie has become a mainstay at our educational program," said Marla Bennsy, one of ACLAMO's Lead Teachers, "For someone his age, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge. Charlie prepares well for every class, plus the children love him!"
A senior next year at Episcopal Academy, upon graduation Charlie plans to study biochemistry in college. He promises that he will return next summer, with a whole new set of creative ideas for the children!
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Welcome Carmelo!
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the newest member of the ACLAMO family. On July 9th, Carmelo was born to Gloria Page and Abram Johnson. 
We featured Gloria, the Social Worker for our Even Start Family Literacy Program, in our January newsletter. Gloria has the distinction of being a second-generation employee, joining ACLAMO after her mother worked here 25 years ago!
After a few months of recuperation, Gloria plans to return to work at ACLAMO. Maybe Carmelo, or his big sister Mya, will join our staff in another 25 years!
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This year, ACLAMO is celebrating its 35th year of providing economic, educational, health and cultural opportunities for low-income residents of Norristown and Pottstown, especially those of Spanish-language heritage.
ACLAMO stands for Accíon Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County, or the Latin American Action Committee of Montgomery County. ACLAMO is derived from the Spanish word "aclamar," which means "to acclaim."
ACLAMO Family Centers ACLAMO Family Centers
512 W. Marshall Street 515 Walnut Street
Norristown, PA 19401 Pottstown, PA 19464
610 277-2570 610-970-2134
www.aclamo.org
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